STORM FRANK: Council assesses the damage

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and partners are this morning continuing to deal with the aftermath of Storm Frank and the emergency bunker remains operational to co-ordinate the multi-agency response.

The council and partners are continuing to assess the impact and damage caused by the storm. Several roads remain closed.

Roads, bridges and structures are being assessed as early as possible this morning and roads will be reopened once they have been evaluated and any necessary repairs carried out.

The A72, which is the main route to Peebles from the central Borders, opened at 11.30pm last night. A full list of remaining road closures is being updated via the council’s webpage www.scotborders.gov.uk/stormfrank

SBC is co-ordinating the clean-up operation and members of the public who wanted to help were meeting this morning at 9am in Edinburgh Road Car Park in Peebles.

Skips will be provided at Tweed Avenue and Tweed Green in Peebles this morning. Skips will also be provided in other flood-affected areas as/when requirements are assessed.

The council and partners are encouraging any members of the public who may need assistance to ensure they contact them directly via 0300 100 1800 after 9am and 01896 752111 out of hours.

Some kerbside recycling collections in the Tweeddale area are impacted today as a result of the flooding.

The council will, where possible, make alternative collection arrangements prior to the next scheduled collection.

However, if this is not possible, residents are asked to present any additional kerbside recycling material in clear bags on the next scheduled recycling collection day.

Rob Dickson, gold commander for the multi-agency response, explained: “Our priority this morning is to make an assessment of the damage, ensure roads, bridges and other structures are safe and support members of the communities as much as we possibly can to deal with the aftermath of the flooding.

“We are continuing to encourage members of the public to get in touch if they do need any help or assistance.

“Over the course of the day, we will put in place more detailed plans for the recovery operation including placing skips in various locations and visiting areas to assess what it is like on the ground.”